EL-1 on the EOS R5
Gallery

Canon Speedlite EL-1

An advanced Speedlite that delivers superb reliability and advanced high-speed performance in a tough weather-resistant body.

For when you only get one chance

For those unrepeatable moments, when you can’t ask your subject to simply ‘do it one more time’, there is the Speedlite EL-1. Absolute reliability and blistering performance, plus advanced wireless communication and a high performance re-chargeable battery, make this the ultimate Speedlite.

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EL-1 packshot front view without stand
EL-1 packshot front view with stand
EL-1 packshot side view with stand
EL-1 packshot back view with screen on
EL-1 packshot back view with screen on
EL-1 packshot top view
EL-1 packshot top view with head rotating to the left
EL-1 packshot top view with head rotating to the right
EL-1 packshot side view with stand
EL-1 packshot front view with stand
EL-1 packshot front view without stand
EL-1 packshot FSL angle view on EOS R5 hot shoe
EL-1 packshot front view on EOS R5 hot shoe

Specifications

  • Fast 0.1-0.9 sec1 recycle times

    Up to 170 full power flashes2 in a burst

  • Rechargeable Li-ion battery

    Up to 335 shots at full power

  • Guide number 60m4

    Light up distant subjects and large groups

  • Weather-resistant construction

    Work confidently in poor conditions

  • Wide range of power levels

    From full to 1/8192 power5, for maximum flexibility

  • Built-in LED modelling light

    With colour temperature and brightness controls

  • Active cooling system

    Shoot for longer without overheating

  • Accurate battery level indicator3

    So you’ll know when to replace or recharge a battery

See full specification

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Canon Speedlite EL-1

Fast, precise and completely dependable – the Canon Speedlite EL-1 delivers the kind of performance that professional photographers demand when the pressure is on. Discover the benefits and capabilities of the EL-1 in this film.
A split image. Left, a photographer shooting with a Canon EOS R5 with Speedlite EL-1 flash in the hot-shoe; right: a stunt cyclist balances his bike on its rear wheel on an elevated handrail.

Absolute reliability and blistering performance

Find out what Dave Mackison has to say about his experience with using the Canon Speedlite EL-1.

Prepared for every moment

Be ready for anything. Super-fast 0.1-0.9 sec1 recycle times mean bursts of up to 170 full-power flashes2, plus high speed bursts at lower power levels are also possible.

EL-1 on the EOS R5
EL-1 on the EOS R5

Power when you need it most

A high-performance LP-EL battery powers the EL-1’s blisteringly fast shooting speeds and shot-to-shot reliability. Expect up to 2345 flashes from a single charge. An accurate battery level indicator 3 lets you know when it’s time to recharge or replace your power source.

Shoot with confidence

When the pressure’s on, you can count on the EL-1 to deliver. It’s guide number of 60m4 is backed up by the same degree of dust and water resistance as our L-Series lenses. An active cooling system prevents overheating, so you can shoot for longer.

EL-1 on the EOS R5

Flexibility and control

Light your subject from anywhere in the scene, controlling the EL-1 wirelessly with a radio or optical trigger. Use multiple Speedlites together (as individual units or groups) for highly creative lighting.
EL-1 on the EOS R5

Be more creative with your lighting

A built-in bi-colour LED modelling light lets you see where and how the EL-1’s flash output will look, and preview where shadows will fall. Manual flash output can be varied between full and 1/8192 power 5

EL-1 on the EOS R5
Dave Mackison PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

“Faster recycle times – Having kit that is fast and efficient is super important.”

Photographer looking down view finder

Canon aims to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions from its business activities by 2050

We will achieve this by delivering an average improvement of 3% per year in the lifecycle CO2 emissions improvement index per product. Which if sustained would mean roughly a 50% reduction from 2008 levels by the year 2030. We recognise this to be in line with the level of reduction called for by the Paris Agreement.

We will continue to undertake target reviews from a long-term perspective as a way of checking our contribution to the realisation of a low-carbon society.

Discover more

Professional flashes

EL-1 packshot front in the comparison table

Speedlite EL-1

SPEEDLITE EL-1
Speedlite 600EX II-RT in comparison table with EL-1

Speedlite 600EX II-RT

SPEEDLITE 600EX II-RT

Guide No. (ISO100) meters

60 (200mm)
60 (200mm)

Focal length coverage

24-200mm
20-200mm

High speed sync (FP)

Yes
Yes

Manual / output settings

Yes - 1/1 - 1/81921
Yes - 1/1 - 1/128

Flash exposure compensation

Yes
Yes

Flash exposure bracketing

Yes
Yes

Modelling lamp / Flash

2 x LED / Yes
No / Yes

Wireless transmission type

Optical / Radio
Optical / Radio

Receiver function

Infra-red / Radio
Infra-red / Radio

Sender function

Infra-red / Radio
Infra-red / Radio

Battery

1 x Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery
4 x AA batteries

Recycle time

Approx. 0.9sec2
Approx. 5.5sec2 (Alkaline batteries)

Weight (Excluding batteries), grams

572g
435g

  1. Minimum flash output is 1/128 for high-speed sync or optical wireless transmission.
  2. Time taken to recharge flash after full discharge, using fully charged battery(s)

Layout

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EL-1 what’s in the box image with gels, stand, charger, battery and case

What's in the box

  • Speedlite EL-1

  • Speedlite case

  • Battery Pack LP-EL

  • Battery Charger LC-E6E

  • Mini stand

  • Bounce Adapter SBA-EL

  • Color Filter SCF-ELOR1

  • Color Filter SCF-ELOR2

Compatible Accessories

  • EL-1 battery in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    Battery pack LP-EL

    Specially designed for Canon Speedlites, the LP-EL is able to quickly discharge large currents and has a capacity of 1920mAh.
  • EL-1 battery charger in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    Battery charger LC-E6E

    Charges compatible Canon LP-E6 series and the LP-EL batteries.
  • EL-1 battery pack CP-E4N in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    Compact Battery Pack CP-E4N

    Improves flash recycle times and increases the number of flashes with compatible Speedlites - uses Battery Magazine CPM-E4 with 8 x AA batteries.
  • Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT V3

    Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT (Ver.3)
    Fire compatible radio-frequency Speedlite flashguns over distances of up to 30m. Additional remote features for the EL-1 and EL-5 supported.
    View details
  • ST E2 trigger in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2

    Fire compatible Speedlites with wireless optical receivers at up to 15m outdoors / 10m indoors.
    Find out more Find out more
  • Off camera show cord OC-E3 in compatible accessories for professional flashes

    Off-Camera Shoe Cord OC-E3

    Position your flash away from the camera for creative lighting and full E-TTL control with compatible cameras.

Maintenance, Upgrades & Repairs

Keep your Canon cameras and accessories up to date with latest firmware and service updates, or book your equipment into your nearest authorised repair centre.

ST-E3-RT (Ver.2) Upgrade

Add extra features and functionality to your ST-E3-RT with this paid upgrade to Ver.2

FIND OUT MORE

Related Articles

Freezing fast-moving action with the Speedlite EL-1

Action sports photographer Dave Mackison shares the story behind the first pro shoot with Canon's lightweight, powerful professional flashgun.

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Canon EOS R5 first shoots: capturing nature in beautiful detail

Ulla Lohmann and Robert Marc Lehmann on how the Canon EOS R5's 45MP sensor and eye-tracking AF helped them take spectacular outdoor shots.

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The kit Alessandra Meniconzi couldn't shoot without

Find out how the Canon Ambassador simplifies "the most difficult tool in photography" for great portrait lighting.

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  1. 1/8192 to 1/1 power charging time required for firing.
  2. At 23 degrees C, with the fan set to ON, and before reaching flash firing restriction Level 1, with no flash adapters fitted (bursts up to 160 full power flashes with the flash zoomed from 150-200mm)
  3. Indicates the remaining capacity of the internal battery only, not external power sources
  4. Guide number 60 measured for meters at ISO 100 and 200mm zoom head setting.
  5. Minimum flash output is 1/128 for high-speed sync or optical wireless transmission.